Friday, August 12, 2016

Here is the exciting in-depth story of a
horror classic, told by an insider. John Russo, who co-authored the
screenplay for Night of the Living Dead, also wrote the novelization and
helped produce and promote the movie. Following that early, enormous
success, he has gone on to write, produce and/or direct three more
movies and to publish eight more novels. Millions of fright fans know
him as the perpetrator of macabre creations such as Midnight,
Bloodsisters, The Awakening and Day Care. Night of the Living Dead has
been called a fluke, a classic, a gross outrageous money-grabber. It's
also been called a symbolic work laden with commentary on the pressures
and terror of a ruthless modern society. Whatever it may be, no one can
deny its rude, powerful effectiveness. To this day, it continues to draw
crowds and to scare the living daylights out of them. The Complete
Night of the Living Dead Filmbook is a gold mine full of entertaining,
enlightening anecdotes. It includes numerous photographs, many of which
have never been published before. Film fans and budding film-makers will
enjoy and appreciate this comprehensive, insightful look into the
creation of Night of the Living Dead.

Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American
independent horror film, directed by George A. Romero, starring Duane
Jones and Judith O'Dea. It was completed on a $114,000 budget and
premiered October 1, 1968. The film became a financial success, grossing
$12 million domestically and $18 million internationally. It has been a
cult classic ever since. Night of the Living Dead was heavily
criticized at its release for its explicit gore. It eventually garnered
critical acclaim and has been selected by the Library of Congress for
preservation in the National Film Registry, as a film deemed
"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The story
follows characters Ben (Jones), Barbra (O'Dea), and five others trapped
in a rural farmhouse in Western Pennsylvania, which is attacked by a
large and growing group of unnamed "living dead" monsters drawing on
earlier depictions in popular culture of Ghoul, which has led this type
of creature to be referred to most popularly as a zombie. Night of the
Living Dead led to five subsequent films between 1978 and 2010, also
directed by Romero, and inspired two remakes, the most well-known was
released in 1990, which was directed by Tom Savini.

In 1968, director George A. Romero
brought us Night of the Living Dead. It became the definitive horror
film of its time. Eleven years later, he would unleash the most
shocking motion picture experience for all times. As modern society
is consumed by zombie carnage, four desperate survivors barricade
themselves inside a shopping mall to battle the flesh-eating hordes
of the undead. This is the ferocious horror classic, featuring
landmark gore effects by Tom Savini, that remains one of the most
important – and most controversial – horror films in history. Lots
of "serious" types look down on zombie movies. That's a shame,
because some of them are really first-rate films. Dawn of the Dead,
the middle film of George Romero's "dead" trilogy, is a case in
point. You want zombies, we got your zombies RIGHT HERE! You want
blood? Guts? Flesh eating? Oh boy, does Dawn of the Dead ever
deliver! Then it does something really unique - it delivers drama,
engaging characters with realistic delimmas, a smartly crafted
story, and a heavy dose of dead-on social satire.

Did I mention that it's just flat-out
scary as hell, too? One scene in particular, toward the beginning,
that still haunts me - twenty some-odd years after I first saw it.
The National Guard has been called in to clear a tenament building.
In the basement, they find a cage where the dead have been locked
away. The simple, unsettling music of Goblin rises on the
soundtrack, underscored by a heartbeat-like bass drum. There are the
zombies, many in death shrouds, feasting on body parts. Guardsman
Peter Washington (Ken Foree) steps into the nightmare with a pistol to
dispatch the zombies with bullets to their heads. The whole thing
takes on a surreal, hellish texture, like a Bosch painting. Foree's
performance is striking - he is truly in the moment, as they say,
without a hint of the winking self-awareness we see in other genre
flicks. If the dead really started coming back to feed on the living,
this is exactly how the world would be like. This is the toll it
would exact on people trying to grapple the situation. Dawn of the
Dead's primary filming location was at the Monroeville Mall.

In the U.S. Dawn wasn’t
available for home viewing until 1983 when Thorn EMI Video released
the clamshell cased theatrical version (TV1977) in December,
borrowing the official poster book cover graphic, just adding a green
logo. It rented well and sold respectably (even at a pricey
$59.99). Along with the VHS release, Thorn EMI Video also released a
home video movie poster. The home video movie poster was sent rolled to
video rental stores in the U.S. to promote Dawn of the Dead on VHS and
Beta. Almost like the theater poster, but with a different design and
made smaller (25x33) to fit on video rental store walls. The home video
movie poster was designed by Bob Michelucci. He also played the Scope
Zombie in the movie. This poster is highly sought for by collectors;
after the intentional run on VHS, video rental stores would throw away
or send the poster back to the video company. Fortunate for you we have
one available. I'm not in no means a professional grader, but if I
where to grade this poster I would give it a high grade. Please
continue to condition.

In 1968, director George A. Romero brought
us Night of the Living Dead. It became the definitive horror film of
its time. Eleven years later, he would unleash the most shocking
motion picture experience for all times. As modern society is consumed
by zombie carnage, four desperate survivors barricade themselves
inside a shopping mall to battle the flesh-eating hordes of the
undead. This is the ferocious horror classic, featuring landmark gore
effects by Tom Savini, that remains one of the most important – and
most controversial – horror films in history. Lots of "serious" types
look down on zombie movies. That's a shame, because some of them are
really first-rate films. Dawn of the Dead, the middle film of George
Romero's "dead" trilogy, is a case in point. You want zombies, we got
your zombies RIGHT HERE! You want blood? Guts? Flesh eating? Oh
boy, does Dawn of the Dead ever deliver! Then it does something really
unique - it delivers drama, engaging characters with realistic
delimmas, a smartly crafted story, and a heavy dose of dead-on social
satire.

Did I mention that it's just flat-out
scary as hell, too? One scene in particular, toward the beginning,
that still haunts me - twenty some-odd years after I first saw it.
The National Guard has been called in to clear a tenament building.
In the basement, they find a cage where the dead have been locked
away. The simple, unsettling music of Goblin rises on the soundtrack,
underscored by a heartbeat-like bass drum. There are the zombies,
many in death shrouds, feasting on body parts. Guardsman Peter
Washington (Ken Foree) steps into the nightmare with a pistol to
dispatch the zombies with bullets to their heads. The whole thing
takes on a surreal, hellish texture, like a Bosch painting. Foree's
performance is striking - he is truly in the moment, as they say,
without a hint of the winking self-awareness we see in other genre
flicks. If the dead really started coming back to feed on the living,
this is exactly how the world would be like. This is the toll it would
exact on people trying to grapple the situation. Dawn of the Dead's
primary filming location was at the Monroeville Mall.

In the U.S. Dawn wasn’t
available for home viewing until 1983 when Thorn EMI Video released the
clamshell cased theatrical version (TV1977) in December, borrowing
the official poster book cover graphic, just adding a green logo.
Although it rented well and sold respectably (even at a pricey
$59.99) in early 1984, a small-box commercial version didn’t
arrive until summer 1987 as part of the affordable HBO/Cannon
Video reissues of early 80’s Thorn EMI videos. Another small box
edition, with a darker reprint of the packaging and no stills on
the back, came out in 1989 from HBO/Weintraub. A BETA version was
only available on Thorn EMI Video (TXB 1977) until 1986. This particular
VHS is the more sought for (1st issue original) clamshell VHS
distributed by Thorn EMI Video. Presented in Pan and Scan and with a
length of 126 minutes this version is the version that George
envisioned during the production of the film. This is what George calls
the “final version.” In my opinion this is the best version of the
film ever released. VHS comes from a private collection.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Stephen King has become one
of the most popular storytellers in the history of mankind. Now you'll
see why, in this private tour through his realm of the macabre, where
King mixes his sinister wit with some chilling surprises and startling
revelations. Then, you'll feel a nasty grin grow on your face when
horror celebrities John Carpenter, Clive Barker and Frank Darabont join
in for a tribute to horror movie previews. Included here is a
collector's portfolio of the most memorable and most outrageous horror
film promotions ever devised. Find out why horror is a necessary evil in
your life. A documentary about the works of novelist Stephen King and
his influence on popular culture and his impact on horror film and
novels. Bring Stephen King home to your screening room in this 45 minute
Front Row Video special.

VHS is used inside opened slipcase. Slipcase
show signs of minor shelf and storage wear. Slipcase has some light
creasing and edge wear. Edge wear notably on the bottom corners. Tape
sticker label does have some fading. Tape has been tested and inspected
for mold. This is NOT a ex-rental or cut-box. VHS comes from a
private collection. Overall great condition. Also as a bonus, your VHS
will be professionally shrinkwrapped before being shipped out, using
high-grade shrinkwrap. It secures your VHS and gives it a shiny new
look. Item will be shipped in a bubble mailer envelope. Smoke free
home. See actual scans of item. I accept Paypal. Will usually ship within 1
business day of receiving cleared payment. I will be using USPS First
Class Package to ship this item. Package tracking is included.

She was born in Detroit... on an automobile
assembly line. But she is no ordinary automobile. Deep within her
chassis lives an unholy presence. She is Christine - a red and white
1958 Plymouth Fury whose unique standard equipment includes an evil,
indestructible vengeance that will destroy anyone in her way. She
seduces 17-year-old Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon), who becomes
consumed with passion for her sleek, rounded, chrome-laden body. She
demands his complete and unquestioned devotion and when outsiders seek
to interfere, they become the victims of Christine's horrifying wrath.
John Carpenter brings Stephen King's best-selling novel to life in this
chilling thriller. Keith Gordon (who has gone on to become a director)
gives a wonderfully controlled central performance. Carpenter's
atmospheric original score is backed up by a well-chosen collection of
rock classics, including George Thorogood's "Bad to the Bone" (the
titular character's all-too-apt theme song).

The original American VHS release by
RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video for video rental in 1984 featured a
digitally recorded version of the film and was packaged in a paper cover
which featured the poster artwork. It was also a side loader, which
means the tape goes inside the box through the side instead of the
bottom. A second U.S. VHS printing, distributed by Sony Pictures, was
released in 1991 and on June 23, 1994. This is the more sought for
(1st issue original) side loader VHS distributed by RCA/Columbia
Pictures Home Video. What makes this particular VHS even more sought
for is, it is still sealed. That's right... brand new. It's actually
hard to believe this VHS has been sealed for over 30 years. On the left
side of the VHS, RCA Home Video logo is stamped/watermarked on the
plastic. The only flaw I noticed with this VHS is a tiny hole in the
plastic on the front. So, if you are like me... a diehard VHS
collector looking to replace that old worn out rental. Look no
further. Very rare!

Horror master John Carpenter offers up a
triple treat with The Fog: Jamie Lee Curtis, Adrienne Barbeau and Janet
Leigh all in the same movie. As if that weren't enough, both John
Houseman and Hal Holbrook make appearances, each clearly enjoying the
novelty of being in a horror flick. Carpenter wrote the script with
producer Debra Hill, his collaborator on Halloween (1978), and
the two know their craft. It's a creepy story and a tight script, as in
their previous effort, the audience gets to know the main characters a
bit before they're put in danger. The movie also has a sly sense of
humor: "Things seem to happen to me," says slasher vet Jamie Lee. "I'm bad luck."
Barbeau is also obviously having a great time, sinking her teeth into
her role as a frightened disc jockey watching the fog roll in from a
lighthouse. The Fog offers a few shocks and plenty of good old-fashioned
clammy chills. You'll never look at weather systems the same way again.

The Fog opens just before the centennial
celebration of the seaside town of Antonio Bay, California. One hundred
years ago, the wealthy leper Blake bought the clipper ship Elizabeth
Dane and sailed with his people to form a leper colony. However, while
sailing through a thick fog, they were deliberately misguided by a
campfire onshore, steering the course of the ship toward the light and
crashing her against the rocks. While the townsfolk prepare to
celebrate, the victims of this heinous crime that the town's founding
fathers committed rise from the sea to claim retribution. Under cover of
the fog, they carry out their vicious attacks, searching for what is
rightly theirs. Although this was essentially a low budget independent
film, John Carpenter chose to shoot the movie in anamorphic widescreen
Panavision. This decision gave the film a grander feel for the viewer so
it didn't seem like a low budget horror film. The Fog was filmed in
only 30 days.

The original American VHS release by Embassy
Home Entertainment for video rental in 1987 featured a hi-fi/MONO
version of the film and was packaged in a paper cover which featured the
poster artwork. This release was subsequently followed by a copy which
sported the Nelson Entertainment logo on the top front cover. Later,
several bargain VHS copies was released. This is the VHS distributed by
Nelson Entertainment. What makes this particular VHS sought for is, it
is still sealed. That's right... brand new. It's hard to believe that
this VHS has been sealed for nearly 30 years. However, there is some
rattling when you shake the VHS. It could be only a loose screw or VHS
tape could be broke. I wanted to keep it sealed for collectible
purposes. On the side of the VHS, New Line Home Video logo is
stamped/watermarked on the plastic. So, if you are like me... a diehard
VHS collector looking to replace that old worn out rental. Look no
further. Rare!

Horror master John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing)
directs this action-packed sci-fi thriller about one man's battle
against aliens who are systematically gaining control of the earth.
Rugged Roddy Piper stars as the loner who stumbles upon a terrifying
discovery: goulish creatures are masquerading as humans while they lull
the public into submission through subliminal advertising messages. Only
specially made sunglasses make the deadly truth visible. Visionary
director John Carpenter creates this world that is not unlike today's
society. Glued to the television and void of independent thought, he
shows us a human race that resembles cattle in the fields waiting for
the farmer's next decision. Suspenseful science-fiction and
heart-pounding action highlights this masterfully ironic and startling
tale co-starring Keith David and Meg Foster.

This was a beautiful film that carries with
it a heavy burden of showing us the truth of our world. While we may
giggle and laugh at this "created" society, there are some truths to
what Carpenter is showing. He gives us warnings and answers if we
choose to listen. I was not expecting such a high caliber of emotion
to go into a film like this, and was utterly surprised by the
experience. Perhaps it is the packaging, perhaps it is because our
culture has not adapted well to the horror/sci-fi genre yet, but
everyone should experience this film once. I recommend it for anyone
that enjoyed The Matrix and want to see more about the structure of our society. Created well before The Matrix,
Carpenter uses aliens to demonstrate the power of the media and the
superpowers behind the scenes. This film carries themes that are still
relevant today.

The original American VHS release by MCA
Home Video for video rental in 1989 featured a digitally recorded
version of the film and was packaged in a paper cover which featured
the poster artwork. A second U.S. VHS printing, distributed by
Goodtimes Video, was released on May 18, 1999. This is the more sought
for (1st issue original) VHS distributed by MCA Home Video. What makes
this particular VHS even more sought for is, it is still sealed. That's
right... brand new. However, on the right side of the VHS there is a
cut/tear through the UPC barcode. It could have been done by the store
for stock purposes. On the left side of the VHS, MCA Home Video logo is
stamped/watermarked on the plastic. So, if you are like me... a
diehard VHS collector looking to replace that old worn out rental. Look
no further. Rare!

Meet Jerry Dandridge. He's sweet, sexy and
he likes to sleep in late. You might think he's the perfect neighbor.
But, before inviting Jerry in for a nightcap, there's just one thing
you should know. Jerry prefers his drinks warm, red and straight from
the jugular! It's Fright Night, a horrific howl starring Chris Sarandon
as the seductive vampire and William Ragsdale as the frantic teenager
struggling to keep Jerry's deadly fangs out of his neck. Only
17-year-old Charley Brewster (Ragsdale) knows Jerry's bloodcurdling
secret. When Charley can't get anybody to believe him, he turns to TV
horror host Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall), who used to be the "Great
Vampire Killer" of the movies. Can these mortals save Charley and his
sweetheart Amy (Amanda Bearse) from the wrathful bloodsucker's toothy
embrace? If you love being scared, Fright Night...will give you the
nightmare of your life.

Fright Night is an 80s vampire flick for the classic horror fanatic. Paying homage to such staples as Dark Shadows and the Hammer Dracula
franchise, this surprising little horror film supplies vampire lore
and cliches aplenty, put together so skillfully that the result is this
horror fan's favorite vampire indulgence. Of course, this favoritism
is in no small part due to spectacular effects and performances. The
cast seems tailor made for their roles as they play them, even if some
choices seem a bit odd superficially. Hard to imagine this vampire
pining away over the centuries for Married With Children's Marcy
D'Arcy, but Amanda Bearse plays the role of the teenage object of Chris
Sarandon's desires to perfection. Chris, himself, is powerfully
convincing and menacing as the hip, 80's vampire. Extremely well
adjusted to the times, too. The Peter Vincent character was named after
horror icons Peter Cushing and Vincent Price.

I've always loved the VHS artwork to Fright
Night. I remember looking at it frequently in the video rental store.
The original American VHS release by RCA/Columbia Pictures for video
rental in 1986 featured a pan-and-scan version of the film and was
packaged in a paper cover which featured the poster artwork and sealed
with a flap. This release was subsequently followed by a bargain copy
which sported a photo of Evil Ed on the front cover. This is the more
sought for (1st issue original) VHS distributed by RCA/Columbia Pictures.
What makes this particular VHS even more sought for is, it is still
sealed. That's right... brand new. It's hard to believe that this VHS
has been sealed for 30 years, actually over. The RCA/Columbia Pictures
logo is stamped on the plastic on the side and back. Believe it or not.
So, if you are like me... a diehard VHS collector looking to replace
that old worn out rental. Look no further. Rare!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Directed by: Fred DekkerProduced by: Charles GordonWritten by: Fred DekkerStarring: Jason Lively, Steve Marshall, Jill Whitlow, Tom Atkins, Allan Kayser, Wally TaylorMusic by: Barry De Vorzon, Stan RidgwayCinematography: Robert C. NewEditing by: Michael N. KnueDistributed by: TriStar Pictures, HBO/Cannon VideoRelease dates: August 22, 1986Running time: 88 minCountry: United StatesLanguage: EnglishBudget: $5 millionBox office: $591,366Plot: In 1959, an alien experiment crashes to earth and infects a fraternity member. They freeze the body, but in the modern day, two geeks pledging a fraternity accidentally thaw the corpse, which proceeds to infect the campus with parasites that transform their hosts into killer zombies.Info: Night of the Creeps is a 1986 American comedy horror written and directed by Fred Dekker, starring Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Steve Marshall and Jill Whitlow. The film is an earnest attempt at a B movie and a homage to the genre. While the main plot of the film is related to zombies, the film also mixes in takes on slashers and alien invasion films. Night of the Creeps did not perform well at the box office, but it developed a cult following.

Director Fred Dekker originally wanted to shoot the film in black and white. He included every B movie cliche he could think of and insisted on directing the script himself. The script was written in a week. Night of the Creeps was released August 22, 1986. The domestic gross was $591,366 across 70 theaters. The film was released on VHS and Laserdisc in 1986 by HBO/Cannon Video. Some of these feature the theatrical ending only. The DVD and Blu-ray was released on October 27, 2009, by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and contain the original ending along with some special features.

Though not shown theatrically upon its original release, the original ending showed Chris and Cynthia standing in front of the burning sorority house, then moved to the street where police cars race down the street. The charred and 'zombified' Cameron is shuffling down the street when he suddenly stops and falls to the ground. His head explodes and the slugs scamper out and head into a cemetery, as the spaceship from the beginning of the film has returned with the aliens intending to retrieve their experiment, proposing a sequel.

Night of the Creeps original 1986 trailer.

Unfortunately, a sequel was never made. But, however a remake is in the talks. This original ending is on the official DVD and Blu-ray release of the film, and can be seen in some television broadcast versions of the film, some US VHS copies, and on bootleg DVD copies. The soundtrack album, featuring Barry DeVorzon's score for the film (except tracks 22-26), was issued in 2009 by La-La Land Records.

Reception: Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 69% of 13 critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating was 6.5/10. Nina Darnton wrote that the film, though derivative, "shows a fair ability to create suspense, build tension and achieve respectable performances." Nigel Floyd of Time Out London wrote that the direction and special effects are poor, but the film is still "enjoyable enough in a ramshackle sort of way." Michael Gingold of Fangoria rated it 3.5/4 stars and called it "one of the year's most surprisingly entertaining fright features, one that homaged practically every subgenre imaginable, yet kept a sure hand on its tone and never descended into spoofery."

Steve Barton of Dread Central rated it 5/5 stars and called it "a classic in every sense of the word." Christopher Monfette of IGN rated it 7/10 and wrote that the film "shows its age" but is scary, gory, and has plenty of quotable lines." Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club rated it C+ and wrote, "Night of the Creeps has all the ingredients of a top-notch cult movie, yet Dekker too often ends up recycling clichés rather than subverting or spoofing them." Scott Weinberg of Fearnet wrote that the film is not for everyone, but it is "horror nerd nirvana". Eric Profancik of DVD Verdict called it "a great flick that deserves its cult status".

Night of the Creeps 1986 VHS distributed by HBO/Cannon Video.

Film Facts: All the last names of the main characters are based on famous horror and sci-fi directors: George A. Romero (Chris Romero), John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper (James Carpenter Hooper), David Cronenberg (Cynthia Cronenberg), James Cameron (Det. Ray Cameron), John Landis (Det. Landis), Sam Raimi (Sgt. Raimi) and Steve Miner (Mr. Miner - The Janitor). The characters are homages to horror directors.

"Corman University" is a reference to director/producer Roger Corman. The "Corman Clarion" newspaper, along with the university name, is a reference to Roger Corman.

The college football team the Bulldogs was named in tribute to writer/director Fred Dekker's high school football team.

Gordon the Cat was named after film producer Gordon Carroll.

Graffiti on the wall of the men's room where J.C. is trying to escape a number of slugs reads, "Go Monster Squad!". The Monster Squad (1987) was also directed by Fred Dekker.

A fair share of the film was shot in an old Woolworth's department store that was converted into a makeshift studio.

The tool shed sequence was filmed after principal shooting on the movie had wrapped. After a rough cut was shown to a test audience, several people thought that the picture needed more action so this particular sequence was added to the movie.

The characters of Chris and J.C. were also featured in an early short film made by writer/director Fred Dekker.

Night of the Creeps 'Creep/Slug' action figure by Retroband (left). Night of the Creeps comic by Beyond Horror Design (right).

The movie the house mother is watching on TV is Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959).

Allan Kayser had his hair dyed blonde to play Brad in the movie.

Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger play Zombie extras.

Director and writer Fred Dekker, who has had a lamentably short career as a helmer, wrote Night of the Creeps in seven days. He told himself that if he did not get to the end of the script by that self-imposed deadline, the whole thing would go into the garbage. If this is what one can come up with in such a flurry, maybe more scripts should have time limits. We should also be glad that he sold the script with a caveat: if he wasn't allowed to helm the film, he wasn't going to sell it. He's said that he didn't care if it sold or not at the time.

Why Dekker has received so little recognition and respect in the industry is difficult to say. Night of the Creeps didn't have the wide release and promotion that it deserved, especially given its $5 million budget (it's curious that TriStar didn't push more to make its money back). Both this film and Dekker's 1987 effort, The Monster Squad, are currently only available on bootleg DVDs in the U.S.

Night of the Creeps is one of the better horror/comedies of the 1980s. The script is clever, paying homage to everything from 1950s sci-fi horror to the zombie craze started by George Romero to 1980s slasher films and even John Hughes. Just in case one couldn't catch the homage angle, Dekker has a lot of character and place names that are tributes to various genre directors. Dekker's dialogue is witty and memorable--there are a few classic diatribes in the film that would be worthwhile and a lot of fun to memorize.

Dekker's writing is self-conscious and self-mocking, predating Scream (1996) by 10 years (there is actually a whole class of 1980s and early 1990s flicks that were doing everything Scream was credited with revolutionizing). Dekker is not afraid to be joyously silly, as with genre character actor favorite Tom Atkins' response when asked if he's Detective Cameron--"No, Bozo the Clown". Dekker even gives us the 1980s high school classic of the hand-cranked middle finger.

But, Night of the Creeps isn't just a comedy. The serious horror aspects of Night of the Creeps are extremely well done. The film is suspenseful, the effects are good, and there is plenty of gore for fans. Dekker could have easily made an effective retro horror film--most of the first five minutes are set in the 1950s, shot in black and white, and have an authentic feel, with just a dash of tongue in its cheek. He smoothly transitions from The Blob (1958) and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)-styled sci-fi (with heavy Alien (1979) touches) to early 1980s slasher material, then to a more complex and fantastic collage of zombies, slugs and detectives seeking revenge.

Night of the Creeps 1986 German original theatrical poster.

While the film isn't likely to be appreciated by those who dislike mixing their horror with comedy, and especially won't be appreciated by viewers who don't even realize that it's supposed to also be a comedy, neither type is very likely to watch it in the first place--at least not for long. For those with the appropriate mindset and love of horror (it's a lot more fun if one is familiar with everything being referenced), Night of the Creeps is a gem that deserves better recognition.

Whether you’re a seasoned zombie fan or are beginning to suffer from burn-out on Hollywood’s current monster du-jour, this one remains a gem worth checking out from the decade when teen horror ruled. Distinguished by some memorable performances and a quirky sense of humor, the film was released in 1986 to surprisingly disappointing box office returns. Written in under a week and directed by future ‘Tales From The Crypt’ alumnus Fred Dekker, perhaps best known for the much-loved ‘Monster Squad’, ‘Night Of The Creeps’ is imbued with the same kind of knowing nods to – and clear affection for – the classic chillers of the 1950′s.

From the high quality of the effects and impressive and spacious sets, it’s clear that despite its B-Movie aspirations, Night of the Creeps had a not-inconsiderable budget, which if anything makes its lack of promotion and recognition even more of a mystery. Despite never having been a big hit Night of the Creeps is a wildly entertaining ride that should find a place in the heart of any 80′s horror fan. If you loved ‘Fright Night’, ‘Creepozoids’ or ‘Monster Squad’ and this one has slipped by your radar, consider giving it a shot the next time you’re reaching for one of your well-worn favorites. You’ll be in for a real treat and a nostalgia trip back to the days when movie’s were all about fun.

Info: Popcorn is a 1991 American horror film directed by Mark Herrier and written by Alan Ormsby. Ormsby is credited with directing all three of the main films within a film, while Herrier is credited with filming the present-day portions of the film. Popcorn was filmed entirely in Kingston, Jamaica. Alan Ormsby was originally the film's director. Ormsby was replaced by Porky's actor Mark Herrier a few weeks into filming. The original lead Amy O'Neill was replaced by Jill Schoelen at this time as well.

According to John Kenneth Muir, the title reflects a trend in the horror films of the 1990s. There were few colorful titles, none as flamboyant as examples of previous decades such as The Last House on the Left (1972), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Instead most film titles were generic and simple. Besides Popcorn, he cites titles such as The Guardian (1990), The Crush (1993), The Temp (1993), Hideaway (1995), and Scream (1996). He believes this trend was a result of the studio desire for generic, wide-appeal films.

Muir believes the film itself was part of another trend of the time. Horror films which were both postmodernist films and self-reflective. Popcorn took inspiration from the history of the horror films, from the 1950s onwards. While Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) and In the Mouth of Madness (1995) used metafiction as one of their themes. Muir found the films-within-a-film to be more interesting than the frame story. He found them to be a realistic homage to the low-budget horror film of the 1950s and to the gimmicks of William Castle.

Popcorn original 1991 trailer.

Mosquito has similarities to the films of Jack Arnold. Nuclear weapons testing has caused desert mosquitoes to grow into giant monsters, in a plot resembling Them! (1954) and The Deadly Mantis (1957). The film includes stock characters and situations, such a dedicated lady scientist and the military insisting on using a nuclear weapon to annihilate the monster. The gimmick accompanying Mosquito is a life-sized version of the giant mosquito which slides down a rope above the heads of the film audience. This is a tribute to Emergo, the Castle-devised gimmick accompanying House on Haunted Hill (1959). The original gimmick featured a glowing skeleton sliding down a rope.

The title of The Attack of the Amazing Electrified Man seems to be a homage to The Amazing Colossal Man (1957), while the visual style of this film is similar to the works of William Cameron Menzies. It includes influences from German Expressionism, with "exaggerated shadows and menacing low-angles". The accompanying gimmick, "Shock-o-Scope", seems to be a rename of Percepto, the electric gimmick which accompanied The Tingler (1959).

The Stench is fashioned after Japanese film, imported and dubbed for the American market. Its accompanying gimmick is an obvious variation of Smell-O-Vision, the gimmick used in Scent of Mystery (1960). Stranger than them is the Possessor. It features extreme close-ups, and functions as a mix between a snuff film and a product of Psychedelia. Its protagonist Lanyard Gates has similarities to cult leader Charles Manson.

Popcorn 1991 VHS distributed by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video.

The frame story is instead a rather typical slasher film. The killer impersonates his victims through use of masks, and his goal is the performance of a snuff-show in front of a live audience. His motivation lies in a crime of the past which scarred him for life. Maggie serves at the final girl of the film, accompanied by a heroic boyfriend. As to the identity of the killer, the film employs a suitable red herring for misdirection.

Muir observes, however, that the film does not use slasher film themselves as part of its self-reflecting depiction of the horror genre. The characters don't seem aware of the relevant tropes, nor do they seem aware of their presence in a slasher film-like situation. Unlike their counterparts in Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997).

The film includes a scene hinting at supernatural horror, which seems out-of-place in this film and is never properly explained. Suzanne, Maggie's mother, arrives at Dreamland to confront Lanyard Gates, gun in hand. As in response, the letters of the movie threater's marquee fall on the ground and in their place appears a new sign: Possessor. Actually no character in this film, including the killer has the ability to do something like this.

Popcorn featurette Mosquito. The famous blood sucking scene.

Release: The film was not a box office success. Popcorn was initially released on home video in June 1991. Variety reported in 1993 that home video sales equaled $2,043,179. Elite Entertainment released a DVD edition of Popcorn in 2001. Special features include theatrical trailers, TV spots and promotional footage. The DVD was discontinued as of January 4, 2010 and is considered OOP (out of print). A domestic Blu-ray release is planned for release through Synapse Films.

Reception: Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 29% of 17 surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating was 5.4/10. John Kenneth Muir identified two distinct films in Popcorn: one is a smart, postmodern film that "self-reflexively gazes back at genre conventions and gimmickry", and the other a rather derivative revival of 1980s slashers that lacks the self-awareness and intelligence of the more postmodern half. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called it "the best spoof of its kind since Alligator." Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called it an "ingenious and spoofy little shocker".

Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly rated it B and wrote, "Though it isn't even trying to scare you, this is a very nifty black-comic horror movie, one of the rare entries in the genre with some genuine wit and affection." Richard Harrington of The Washington Post wrote that it "has several good ideas that, unfortunately, go unrealized." Stephen Hunter of The Baltimore Sun wrote, "Popcorn isn't too clever by half, but only by seven-sixteenths. It's so busy being droll and ironic it forgets to be any good."

Popcorn 1991 VHS distributed by CNR Video (German Release).

Chris Hicks of the Deseret News wrote, "On the whole, "Popcorn" is so amateurish in its development, with pseudo-hip dialogue that drops movie references every few lines, it winds up being neither scary nor funny." Gary Thompson of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote that the film spoofs were inspired, but the rest of the film is much worse. Reviewing the 2001 DVD release, Adam Tyner of DVD Talk called it "a wildly entertaining movie", and Patrick Naugle of DVD Verdict called it "a fun little flick."

Film Facts: The title "Popcorn" was linked to an element in the story. This element was removed before the final cut. The producers and distributor liked the title so it was kept.

This was such a box office disappointment in the United States that in many markets it bypassed first run cinemas and was booked directly into second run/discount cinemas.

First feature film for Movie Partners. Director Alan Ormsby was replaced after three weeks of principal photography by Mark Herrier.

The character of "Lanvard Gates" was very loosely inspired by eccentric Brazilian filmmaker José Mojica Marins.

Popcorn 1991 German original theatrical poster.

After three weeks of shooting, Amy O'Neill was replaced by Jill Schoelen. Schoelen has said that she did not have much interaction with the cast since many of the scenes had already been filmed with O'Neill and in most cases just needed to make quick re-shoots with Schoelen.

The reason that the teenagers listen only to reggae music is that this film was actually shot in Jamaica.

The "Dreamland Theatre" shown in the film is actually The Ward Theatre in Kingston, Jamaica.

Some of the movies advertised in the theatre lobby are The Tingler (1959), The Incredible Melting Man (1977) and Sólo con tu pareja (1991).

It doesn't get much better than going to the movies. It's been one of man's favorite pass times for decades. There have even been films paying tribute to this experience, like Joe Dante's Matinee. Two years earlier, a low budget Horror film similar to that one was released, but flopped. There are some signs of the troubles during production, but the end result is hardly a failure. Instead, it's a fun and occasionally scary romp that pays homage to cinema.

Cons: Some of the characters are too underdeveloped. Concept not taken to full potential. Tone a tad uneven.

Final thoughts: It's a shame this film wasn't a bigger success. It's not perfect, but it is a small gem. You can tell the people in front of and behind the camera were into their jobs. Lovers of Horror and film in general should give it a shot.

My rating: 3.5/5

Released by Elite Entertainment. This DVD is considered RARE and OOP (out of print).